Bank On A Majestic Hero To Flourish In The Epsom Dash

Epsom serves up a brilliant day of racing that will obviously centre around the 2017 Derby on Saturday, although there are some cracking contests on the 'undercard' and we take a look at an ultra-competitive edition of the Epsom Dash...

Caspian Prince won the Epsom Dash in 2014 and 2016

Duke Of Firenze won the Epsom Dash in 2013 before finishing 3rd in 2016

Desert Law led home a Dash 1-2 for trainer Paul Midgley in 2015

Saturday 3rd June - 3.45pm

Odds

Won/Lost

Bet

Epsom Dash

Tips

Majestic Hero (each way)
Best Bet

@ 18 / 1

The Market Leaders

The five furlong handicap is over in the blink of the eye and it is the 2013 champion, Duke Of Firenze, who is a warm order favourite at 8/1 (Coral). The 8-year-old finished third in this contest twelve months ago and goes into this year's renewal in red hot form after running out an impressive winner at York for a second year running.

David Griffiths' gelding has plenty to do off a mark of 9st 8lbs though and there is plenty of competition towards the head of the market, with Desert Law currently available at 10/1. The 2015 champion led home a 1-2 for Paul Midgley two years ago and the gelding enjoyed a long overdue return to form by winning at Musselburgh last month.

Desert Law does go off a handy mark of 8st 9lbs but we have concerns over the pre-Musselburgh form of the gelding, who is joined in Saturday's field by stablemates Line Of Reason and Olivia Fallow.

Meanwhile, last year's runner-up, Kimberella, carries top-weight after winning his first two starts for trainer Richard Fahey on the all-weather before finishing seventh in a Group 3 at Newmarket last time.

Kimberella is a 10/1 chance (Coral.co.uk), as is Edward Lewis and the 4-year-old proved to be a progressive performer for John Gosden before improving further for current trainer Derek O'Meara, winning a couple of races before soft ground counted against him at Thirsk.

The Selection

El Astronaute is a 10/1 chance when bidding for a hat-trick after winning both starts so far this year and John Quinn's entry should enjoy this five furlong sprint as he has an electric turn of foot.

Majestic Hero came within a short head of El Astronaute when runner-up in his first race of the season at Newmarket and he is 2lbs better off in the weights with that opponent this weekend. The 5-year-old has since won a handicap over Saturday's course and distance at Epsom and he can be forgiven a disappointing run at Chester last time when he never quite got into position.

Course form and a strong start to the year ensures that the Majestic Missile gelding is well worth chancing at an each-way price of 18/1 (Ladbrokes).